Optimization of hole quality parameters using TOPSIS method in drilling of GFRP composite

Abstract

The attractive mechanical properties and light weight to strength ratio Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) composites are preferred in automobile and aerospace industries. Drilling process is one of the basic and important manufacturing processes. Drilling of GFRP and its issues with hole quality are fiber crack, roughness of surface, dimensional error and delamination. In this work, the influence of three different types of drills (Slot type, twist type and brad type) and process parameters (feed rate and machining speed) on hole quality error is analyzed. Hole quality parameters, chosen are roundness error, roughness of the machined area, delamination factor and diameter deviation. Simultaneous optimization of multiple objectives is difficult task. Order Preference Technique by Similarity to Ideal Solution named as TOPSIS is used for optimizing the performance criteria and minimize the hole quality error during drilling of GFRP composite. The result revealed that spur type drill with higher range of spindle speed was provided less error in the drilled holes. Also, TOPSIS procedure has minimum computational time because of its less computational steps and highly preferrable for various decision-making problems in manufacturing industry. Hole quality error is directly influencing the assembly accuracy and its minimization is important one.